John McGinn sums up everyone’s feeling as ’embarrassing’ FIFA told to hurry up with World Cup draw

Dec 5, 2025 - 19:15
John McGinn sums up everyone’s feeling as ’embarrassing’ FIFA told to hurry up with World Cup draw

John McGinn failed to hide his boredom during the draw for the 2026 World Cup as Scotland waited to learn their fate.

The Aston Villa midfielder helped his country earn their spot at next summer’s finals.

 John McGinn of Scotland celebrates after the team’s victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland.Getty
McGinn took to social media to share his frustration during the World Cup draw[/caption]
Italian Fifa President Gianni Infantino holding the draw balls during the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup
But he wasn’t pleased with the slow pace of the FIFA World Cup draw

Steve Clarke’s side will make their first appearance in the finals since 1998 after ending a 28-year wait for a return.

However, the Tartan Army were forced to wait before discovering their group stage opponents.

Friday’s draw ceremony in Washington DC lasted almost an hour and a half before finally getting underway.

The proceedings included a string of musical performances as well as an award presentation.

Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli opened the show before Robbie Williams and Nicole Scherzinger performed together on stage.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino then presented US president Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

The three co-hosts were then drawn by their respective leaders, with Canada, Mexico and the USA placed into their groups.

McGinn and the rest of the football world were made to wait even longer before the draw proper began.

He made his feelings known as the ceremony, which had began at 5pm GMT, approached 6.30pm with a ball still yet to be drawn.

The 31-year-old shared a GIF to X of a skeleton falling off of a gaming chair.

John McGinn of Scotland celebrates qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026 following the 4-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park on November 18, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. Getty
McGinn and Scotland will be playing at their first World Cup since 1998[/caption]
Rio Ferdinand during the World Cup draw
England icon Rio Ferdinand conducted the 48-team draw

His stance on the length of the draw was not uncommon amongst fans on social media.

Reacting to the ceremony, one supporter wrote: “This World Cup draw is definitely the cringiest of all time. There is nothing that compares to how awkward this is.

“No one in the audience wants this, people watching on TV certainly don’t. Just a waste of everyone’s time.”

Another added: “This FIFA World Cup draw is so deeply embarrassing. Everyone involved should be ashamed.”

A third also wrote: “This World Cup draw is unwatchable. Absolutely pathetic.”

The draw finally began with Brazil the first ball drawn at 6.27pm, a total of 87 minutes after the ceremony got underway.

Gianni Infantino taking a selfie with the leaders of USA, Mexico and CanadaGetty
The World Cup draw ceremony lasted almost 90 minutes before pot one was drawn[/caption]

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Odds courtesy of talkSPORT BET

  • Spain – 4/1
  • England – 6/1
  • France – 7/1
  • Brazil – 7/1
  • Argentina – 8/1
  • Portugal – 12/1
  • Germany – 14/1
  • Netherlands – 20/1

See full World Cup 2026 winner odds at talkSPORT BET

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Scotland would be made to wait even longer, though, having been placed into pot three for the draw.

Their seeding is based on the latest FIFA World Rankings, which has Scotland 36th following the November international break.

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